Blood testing apparatus having a rotatable cartridge with multiple lancing elements and testing means

ABSTRACT

A blood testing apparatus includes a laser source configured to produce a wound from which blood flows and at least one test member. A humidity cover is positioned at the at least one test member. The humidity cover is at least partially removable. Electronics are provided for analysis. The electronics includes an evaluation device for comparisons with previously stored measurements or evaluation data with the evaluation device storing a current test measurement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/108,164 filedApr. 23, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.10/432,061, filed May 19, 2003, which is a §3.71 filing ofPCT/EP01/13514 filed Jan. 21, 2001, which is the PCT of DE 100 57 832.2filed Nov. 21, 2000, all of which applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a blood testing apparatus for determining ananalyte, such as fructosamine, lactate, cholesterol, specificallyglucose, from minimal quantities amounts of blood extracted immediatelyprior from a user, and more particularly to creating a cut with a lasersource to oridyce a blood sample, and then using the laser source tocoagulate the wound.

The invention deals with blood testing apparatus of the kind that areconfigured with a membrane-like test means defining a field ofmeasurement, said test means being wetted with the minimal amount ofblood extracted and including test reagents, having an evaluation devicecomprising electronics working optically, preferably using reflectanceanalysis, or electronically and having a display device, where theaforementioned components form a complete system which can bemanipulated as a single apparatus.

A diagnostic apparatus of this type is known from U.S. Pat. No.4,787,398. This blood glucose monitoring apparatus comprises a housingstructure with a pushrod arrangement to actuate a lancing element andhaving an evaluation device and a display device. For each measurement,a replaceable unit must be positioned in the housing structure,comprising the lancet and a test means to be wetted with blood in theform of a test strip. This replaceable unit is discarded after each use.

Using this as the point of departure, the object of the presentinvention is to further develop a blood testing apparatus which hasfewer components to be manipulated individually and is thus easier tooperate and more user friendly.

A blood testing apparatus known from EP 0 449 525 A1 similarly comprisesan integral release device for a lancing element. Before each use, a newlancing element has to be manually inserted into the release device aspart of the blood extraction device and then a test strip has to beinserted into the apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,445 shows a complete system for a glucose measuringapparatus in the aforesaid sense. But before each measurement a newreplaceable unit of lancing element and test means has to be assembledto a body and removed afterwards.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,492 shows a similar device. According to thispublication, a disposable unit comprises a capillary tube on the upperend of which a test strip is provided which is exposed to the minimalquantity of blood extracted. The capillary tube is configured at itslower end with a lancing element. Again, before and after eachmeasurement a new disposable unit of the type just described must beinstalled or removed. According to a further embodiment, a transverseslot is provided in the area of the face of the apparatus facing theuser, through which a porous test membrane with a carrier can beinserted, which is then penetrated by the lancing element in the lancingprocedure.

According to one embodiment, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,941 shows a completesystem in the aforesaid sense, where a cartridge with unused strip-liketest means is inserted into a housing and a suitable test means can thenbrought into a suitable operating position by means of a driver. Througha triggering device, which forms part of the blood extraction device, alancet contained in a suitable test strip is urged outward by means of apushrod to pierce the surface of the user's skin so that capillary bloodcan be obtained for analysis. More detailed information on how theanalysis is performed cannot be obtained from this publication.According to a further embodiment described in this publication, acylindrical disposable attachment or insert is described which has alancet and a tablet-shaped test membrane with an opening for the lancingdevice. This attachment or insert is then inserted into a recess of apushrod arrangement which forces the lancing element outward to extractblood. Once again, before and after each test procedure the disposableunit must be installed or removed.

SUMMARY

The object, explained at the beginning, to create a user-friendlyimprovement of a blood testing apparatus of this type which ensures asafe supply of blood for the test means with the smallest possiblequantity of blood, is achieved under the invention through a pluralityof test means which can be inserted into the apparatus and brought intoan operating position to perform several measurements in successionwhere they can interact with the evaluation device, through the bloodextraction device similarly having a plurality of lancets, and when asuitable test means is positioned in the operating position, a lancetcan be thrust through the test means and can pierce the surface of theuser's skin which is positioned in a lancing position aligned with theoperating position so that blood emanating from the skin can impingedirectly on the test means.

Under the invention, installation or removal before and after each test,measurement or analysis procedure is to be avoided. For this reason, aplurality of test means and preferably a number of lancing elementscorresponding exactly to number of test means is furnished in the bloodtesting apparatus, which can be brought into the operating position insuccession and then interact with the blood extraction device when it isactuated or released. A lancing element located in the operatingposition is driven through the membrane-like test means and pierces thesurface of a user's skin, so that the minimal quantity of blood obtaineddirectly wets the membrane-like test means without having to penetratecapillary tubes or slots, which in turn require quantities of blood. Anynumber of switching and driving means powered mechanically or by anelectric motor are conceivable to move the test or lancing means to theoperating position and to actuate the lancing means. The number of testmeans, which are preferably handled as a unit, and advantageously of thelancing means as well, is preferably 5 to 75, and specifically 14-28.The numbers 14 and 28 correspond to a 2 or 4-week rhythm if one analysisis made per day.

After the evaluation and display of the result of the analysis, or ofthe blood glucose level, the specific test means is moved from itsoperating position and the next succeeding test means is brought intothe operation position preferably immediately.

The lancing element could be withdrawn from the test means again beforethis process. It proves to be advantageous if the lancing elementremains in the test means following the lancing procedure and can beremoved with it from the operating position to position a new testmeans. The lancing element can also be retracted far enough so that itdoes not project beyond a finger rest area in the apparatus. However,this is not absolutely necessary.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, it is conceivablethat the lancing element is connected to the membrane-like test meansbefore the lancing procedure and can be inserted with it into theapparatus and moved to the operating position. The lancing element canalready be inserted into the test means or be stuck through it.

Following a lancing and measurement procedure, spent lancing elementsand test means can be ejected individually or together, or they can betaken to a storage and disposal position.

In a further aspect of the invention, the test means are disposed on acarrier which is movable, preferably rotatable, with respect to ahousing base and inserted with the carrier into the housing base of theapparatus. The test means can then be brought in succession to theoperating position by rotating the carrier or moved from the operatingposition to a storage and disposal position.

The test means are advantageously so disposed on the carrier that theirspecific surface normal runs in a radial direction with respect to therotatable carrier. Furthermore, the carrier preferably has an annularconfiguration and is carried rotatably about the center of the ring.

Protection against dirt, contamination and the effects of humidity ispreferably provided. The carrier can be configured advantageously as aclosed cartridge. The carrier can then have apertures which can beclosed or withdrawn in the manner of a window or diaphragm to interactwith the drive mechanism and allow the lancing element to extend toperform the lancing procedure or allow blood to reach the test means. Asfurther protection, particularly against humidity, the test means canalternatively or additionally be encased in foil covers which can beremoved in the operating position.

The blood extraction device is advantageously housed inside the annuluswith the several lancing elements. It is conceivable that a releasedevice, which is known in the art and described in the aforementionedpublications, is housed within the annulus. For example, a pushrod-likedriver arrangement is implemented, which operates on the side of alancing element away from the body when located in the operatingposition such that the lancing element pierces the skin surface of auser. It would also be conceivable that a specific lancing element inthe operating position is held in a wedging arrangement between theopposably movable jaws of the driving organ, so that by moving thedriving organ forward and back the lancing element can be extended tothe outside of the apparatus and retracted again. In any case, the driveunit of the blood extraction device, which thrusts a specific lancingelement through the membrane-like test means into the skin surface of auser, forms a part of the housing or base apparatus as does theevaluation and display device. The membrane-like test means and thelancing elements, on the other hand, represent disposable elements whichare inserted in a predetermined configuration, such as being located ona carrier, into the housing base.

It proves furthermore to be advantageous if, as already mentioned, thelancing elements, on a rotatable carrier, preferably on the same carrieras the test means, are inserted into the blood testing apparatus. Byrotating the carrier or carriers, a specific lancing element issimilarly brought into the operating position, namely into a positionwhere it is struck by the driving organ of the blood extraction deviceor is gripped in a wedging arrangement and can be moved suddenly toperform the lancing procedure.

It proves to be of overall advantage if the blood testing apparatus hasa basically circular disc-shaped outer contour, as it can thus begripped and held comfortably in the user's hands.

In a further aspect of this inventive idea, the apparatus has oppositelylocated a lancing position for positioning the skin surface to bepierced and a release position to trigger the lancing procedure bymanually actuating a release button.

The apparatus is advantageously held by a user holding the apparatuswith two fingers at the lancing position and at the release button. Therelease button has an advantageous ergonomic shape for grasping by thethumb of a user. It preferably has a pressure point which must beovercome in order to initiate the lancing operation. For safety reasons,it proves to be advantageous if the lancing operation can only initiatedwhen both fingers have taken up their correct position. This could beimplemented through contact sensors or through a pressure pointmechanism.

It must be pointed out that instead of a needle or lancet-shaped lancingelement, which is moved preferably suddenly in the direction of the skinsurface of a user to perform the lancing procedure in a manner known inthe art, for example, by releasing a spring-tensioned driving device, alaser beam can also be used. The required source of laser light is amongthe non-disposable system components of the blood testing apparatus.With this solution as well, a specific test means can be furnished withan opening through the laser beam can pass.

In accordance with a further inventive aspect, the blood testingapparatus can be configured in the style of a wrist watch, that is tosay it can have a housing base modeled after a wrist watch casing. Aviewing side of the blood testing apparatus can then have a face as witha familiar watch, or a digital display. The digital display can beconfigured to display time and/or additional functions and to displaydata or information gathered by the blood testing apparatus as needed.

It can prove further advantageous if the blood testing apparatus has aremovable, preferably upwardly pivotable, cover which has access to theinterior of the blood testing apparatus, specifically to insert orreplace the carrier for the test means and/or lancing elements. In thedesign of the external appearance of the blood testing apparatus in thestyle of a wrist watch, or even in the style of a pocket watch, it canprove advantageous if the removable or upwardly pivotable coversimultaneously comprises the face or some other time display devicewhich is raised or pivoted upward with the cover.

In accordance with another inventive aspect, the cover when opened canreveal a view of a display device in the blood testing apparatus, whichcan be located either on the inward facing side of the raised cover oris revealed by the removal or upward pivoting of the cover. It canfurther prove to advantageous if a second removable or upwardlypivotable cover is furnished under the first removable or upwardlypivotable cover, which second cover permits or closes off access to theinterior of the blood testing apparatus. This second cover could thencontain the display device for the blood testing apparatus on its outerside, which can serve simultaneously as a time display. To read the dataand information gathered by the blood testing apparatus, the first coveris opened so that a user can view the display device on the exposedviewing side of the second cover, or on the inner side of the firstcover. The second cover is opened only to replace the test means orlancing elements.

In an aspect of the blood testing apparatus in the style of a wristwatch casing, it proves advantageous if a finger rest is furnished atthe “6 o'clock” or “12 o'clock” position to perform the lancing processto draw a minimal amount of blood, or in the respective areas where thewatch strap attaches. This permits convenient operability, which alsohas a positive effect on good wetting function, since the particulartest means (when the test means are arranged essentially perpendicularto the radial direction) is aligned horizontally when the blood isextracted, which promotes even wetting.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a blood testing apparatus isprovided that has a test member and a laser source configured to producea wound from which blood flows. The laser source produces at least acutting wavelength, and a coagulation wavelength. Electronics foranalysis and a display are provided. The test member, laser source,electronics and display form a glucose monitoring system that isintegrated in a single apparatus.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for testing ananalyte in a blood sample provides a blood testing apparatus thatincludes a test member, a laser source, electronics for analysis and adisplay that are integrated in a single apparatus. A wound is producedwith the laser source. A blood sample is received from the wound at thetest member. The laser source is used to coagulate the wound. Theelectronics are used determine a concentration of glucose in the bloodsample.

Additional features, details and advantages of the invention can befound in the appended claims and the drawing and the description tofollow of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Additional features, details and advantages of the invention can befound in the appended claims and the drawing and the description tofollow of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1( a) shows a schematic arrangement of a first aspect of a bloodtesting apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1( b) illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with alaser source that is used in place of a lancet or penetrating member.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the blood testing apparatus from FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a second aspect of a blood testingapparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the carrier for test means and lancingelements of the apparatus from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the assembled blood testing apparatusfrom FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a third aspect of a blood testingapparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the blood testing apparatus from FIG.6 with the first cover raised;

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of the blood testing apparatus from FIG.7 with the first and second covers raised; and

FIG. 9 shows an isometric view corresponding to FIG. 8 of a fourthaspect of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1( a)-(b) and 2 show a schematic view of a blood testing system inaccordance with the invention, where FIGS. 1( a)-(b) represent viewsinto the interior with the cover removed and FIG. 2 represents aschematic sectional view. The blood testing apparatus in the form of ablood glucose measuring apparatus, identified as a whole with thereference numeral 2, comprises a housing base 4 and a removable cover 6.A blood extraction device 8 with a drive mechanism 10 and a lancingelement in the form of a needle is accommodated in the interior of thehousing base 4. The blood extraction device 8 interacts with a releasebutton 14 on the narrow outer side of the disc-shaped housing base 4.The drive mechanism comprises a driving spring and a return spring 16,18, both of which are indicated only schematically. Through mechanicalcoupling and control means 20, pressing the release button 14 andovercoming a pressure point mechanism 22 releases the drive mechanism10, so that under the pre-load of the driving spring 16 a plunger 24moves radially outward at speed, wedging the lancing element 12 betweenjaws 26 and driving it radially outward and immediately afterwardretracting it again slightly under the effect of the return spring 18.The lancing element 12 penetrates forward briefly across the finger rest28 lying radially opposite the release button on the outside of thehousing base 4, which defines a lancing position, and briefly piercesthe skin surface of a user with predetermined speed and depth ofpenetration to allow a minimal quantity of blood to escape.

In one embodiment, instead of a lancing element, a laser source 102 isutilized, as illustrated in FIG. 1( b). In one specific embodiment, thelaser source 102 is a green diode laser 100. The green diode laser 100can have a tubular laser casing 104 with a first opening end 106 and asecond opening end 108, a heat sink 110 sealably mounted at the firstopening end 106 of the laser casing 104.

The green diode laser 100 can have a semiconductor chip supported by theheat sink for emitting a pumping radiation, and an optical resonantcavity supported within the laser casing. The optical resonant cavity isa lasing medium to optically communicate with the semiconductor chip fora light amplification of fundamental frequency, and an intracavityfrequency doubler to optically communicate with the lasing medium forfrequency doubling of the fundamental frequency, wherein an input facetis formed at the lasing medium for the pumping radiation enteringtherein, an output facet is formed at the intracavity frequency doublerfor the frequency-double beam exiting therefrom. The optical resonantcavity is defined between the inner and output facets.

The green diode laser 100 can include an IR blocking filter 120 mountedat the second opening end of the laser casing to optically communicatewith the output facet 108, and a photodiode supported within the lasercasing 104 at a position that when the laser beam exits the outputfacet, the IR blocking filter 120 reflects a portion of the laser beamtowards the photodiode such that the photodiode is adapted for detectingthe laser beam from the IR blocking filter 120 as a feedback forcontrolling a power output of the optical resonant cavity 112. Thelasing medium as a non-limiting example, Nd:YAG, Nd:YVO₄, Nd:GdVO₄. andthe like.

As a non-limiting example, the intracavity frequency doubler 114 can beKTP, KDP, LBO, BBO, ADP, LiIO3, or another non-linear material that isable to efficiently produce an output that is twice the frequency of thesignal applied to its input.

In one embodiment, the lasing medium and the intracavity frequencydoubler are combined together, wherein the input facet of the lasingmedium is coated with a coating having a high transmissivity at awavelength of 808 nm and a high reflectance at wavelength of 1064 nm and532 nm while the output facet of the intracavity frequency doubler iscoated with a coating having a high transmissivity at a wavelength of532 nm and a high reflectance at a wavelength of 1064 nm.

The photodiode can have a light detecting surface for receiving thelaser beam from the IR blocking filter 120. The light detecting surfaceof the photodiode can be coated with a coating having a hightransmissivity at a wavelength of 532 nm and a high reflectance atwavelength of 1064 nm and 808 nm. Alternatively, a lens filter having ahigh transmissivity at a wavelength of 532 nm, and a high reflectance atwavelength of 1064 nm and 808 nm can be covered on the light detectingsurface of the photodiode.

As the lancing element 12 moves outward at speed, a membrane-like testmeans 30, which is located in a manner to be described in greater detailin the immediate vicinity behind the finger rest 28, is penetrated bythe lancing element 12. The blood emanating from the skin surface thendirectly wets the outwardly facing surface of the membrane-like testmeans 30, which is furnished with reagents.

As the lancing element 12 moves outward at speed, a membrane-like testmeans 30, which is located in a manner to be described in greater detailin the immediate vicinity behind the finger rest 28, is penetrated bythe lancing element 12. The blood emanating from the skin surface thendirectly wets the outwardly facing surface of the membrane-like testmeans 30, which is furnished with reagents.

As can be seen from the Figures, a plurality of test means 30 isfurnished with the lancing elements allocated to each of the test means30. The test means 30 and the lancing elements 12 are located on anannular carrier 32, for example, eight or ten pairs of test means 30 andlancing elements 12 are located around the circumference or partialcircumference of the annular carrier 32. With the cover 6 removed, thecarrier 32 can be inserted into a locating device 34 of complementaryshape which can be rotated around the center of the ring. Embodimentswould also be conceivable in which the cover 6 does not need to beremoved in order to insert the carrier 32, but which have a recess opento the top to insert a cassette-type closed carrier 32. This providesprotection against dirt, contamination and the effects of humidity. Thecarrier 32 can have available apertures which can be closed andwithdrawn like a window or diaphragm in order to interact with the drivemechanism and allow the lancing means to extend to the outside toperform the lancing procedure or to allow blood to reach the test means.As further protection, specifically against humidity, the test meanscould alternatively or additionally be covered with foil wrappers whichcan be removed in the operating position.

As can be seen from the Figures, the membrane-like test means 30 aredisposed such that they are disposed with their surface normal in theradial direction with respect to the center of the ring. By actuating asliding button 36 on the outside of the housing base 4, the locatingdevice 34, and with it the carrier 32 positioned in it and heldfrictionally in place, are rotated into a discrete further angularposition, so that the pairs of test means 30 and lancing elements 12 arebrought in succession into an operating position in which the lancingelement 12 can interact with the drive mechanism 10. In this way theblood glucose measuring apparatus is prepared by insertion of thepreferably cassette-type carrier 32 with a number, for example, of tentest means 30 and lancing elements 12 for ten measurements. Following ameasurement, the button 36 only has to be actuated to bring the nextpair of test means 30 and lancing element 12 into the operatingposition. Additional installation and removal steps before and after aparticular measuring procedure are not required. Spent test means 30 andtest elements are brought in a clockwise direction with the carrier 32to a storage or disposal position, which follows the operating position.It would also be conceivable to furnish an ejection mechanism whichejects a particular spent pair for disposal, which is regarded as lesspreferred since proper disposal must take place immediately. Theprotected arrangement of the spent pairs inside the cassette-typecarrier 32 is preferred instead. After the predetermined number of testsare performed, the cassette-type-like carrier 32 is removed and disposedof and replaced with a new one.

Because the lancing element 12 penetrates the membrane-like test means30 in the lancing process, preferably in its center, the test means 30is ensured of being positioned in immediate proximity to the point ofpenetration on the skin surface of the user. The blood emanating thereis immediately and, most importantly, evenly deposited on the test areaof the test means 30, even when only small quantities of blood areavailable.

In the aspect shown, the lancing elements 12 are disposed on the carrier32 such that they perforate the center of the test means 30 when thedrive mechanism 10 acts against them. To achieve this, it can prove tobe advantageous if the lancing elements 12 are disposed in such a way onthe carrier 12 that the point has penetrated into the accompanying testmeans 30, at least partially in the direction of their thickness. Thisacts as an aid to positioning. A continuous guide opening can also befurnished in the test means 30. The diameter of the guide opening shouldpreferably be smaller than the outside diameter of the lancing element12 to prevent blood from penetrating through a gap between the outersurface of the lancing element 12 and the guide opening toward the backside of the test means 30.

An evaluation device 38 known in the art is also furnished in theinterior of the glucose measuring apparatus. An optical, preferablyreflectance analysis unit, is indicated schematically in FIG. 2. Theevaluation device 38 can comprise a light source 40 and a sensor 42 forthe reflectance measurement of the change of color of the back side ofthe membrane-like test means 30, where the analysis reaction 38 of theglucose contained in the blood sample with the test or proof reagentstakes place (enzymatic redox reaction). The principles of an opticalanalysis device are described, for example, in EP-A-0 654 659 and EP-A-0475 692.

In the case where the electrochemical measurement principle is applied,the optical evaluation device is dispensed with. The enzymatic redoxreaction is quantified instead through the detection of electricalcurrent or voltage at an electrode (described, for example, in EP-A-0552 223).

The evaluation device 38 comprises in a known way electronics foranalysis which interact with a display device 44 which indicates, forexample, in the form of an LCD display the test result, perhaps theblood glucose content. By means of the evaluation device, additionalevaluation and display functions and comparisons with previously storedmeasurement or evaluation data could be performed, saved if necessaryand their result displayed.

The blood testing apparatus under the invention thus represents acomplete system which does not require the separate manipulation of teststrips or lancets during the blood glucose measurement. By inserting thecassette-type carrier 32 with test means 30 and lancing elements 12, theapparatus is prepared for a specific number of measurements, for whichno additional installation or removal steps or the separate manipulationof additional aids is required.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a second aspect of the blood testing apparatus underthe invention, where components identical to the first aspect areidentified with the same reference numeral. In accordance with thisaspect, the blood testing apparatus has a housing base 4 modeled afteror approximating the basic shape of a wrist watch casing, where thedimensions, specifically the depth of the housing base 4, can beenlarged compared with traditional wrist watch casings. Furtherindicated are installation areas 45 for a specifically flexible pin of anormal watch strap. A dome-shaped centering means 46 is depicted in theinterior of the housing base 4, which appears cuboid in plan view butwhich has two segmental side sections 48 which are configured concentricto an axis of rotation 50 and provide a positioning aid when inserting acarrier 32 for test means 30 and lancing elements 12. Further, a servomotor 52 (not shown in detail) is housed in the centering means 46.

The servo motor 52 can serve to move the carrier 32 to move a spent testmeans 30 from an operating position to a disposal position andsimultaneously to position a still unused test means 30 in the operatingposition. It is not entirely excluded that the servo motor 52 can alsoserve to power the only schematically represented drive mechanism 10.The drive coupling of the servo motor 52 with the carrier 32 could, forexample, be formed through a pinion gear, crown wheel, bevel gear ormiter gear connection between a rotatingly driven wheel of the servomotor 52 and correspondingly configured, specifically sprocket-shapedmatching gear means on the carrier 32.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier 32 is configured in the shape ofan annular disc-shaped cassette 54. The cassette comprises a lowerhousing section 56 with an annular disc-shaped floor section 58 with acircular access opening 60 and with circumferential wall section 62running cylindrically on the outer periphery. The test means 30 arefurnished in appropriate recesses 64 in the circumferential wall section62 in a concentric arrangement around the axis of rotation 50. Asimilarly shaped upper housing section 68, which comprises a number ofradially aligned lancing elements 12 corresponding to the number of testmeans 30, can be inserted into the lower housing section 56. Springmeans 69 can also be seen, specifically in the form of closed loops,which hold the lancing elements 12. When the skin surface of a user ispierced, these spring elements 69 are tensioned and are able to retractthe particular lancing element 12 again following the penetrationthrough the drive mechanism 10. This arrangement of lancing elements 12is located radially outside the aforementioned opening 60 and thusradially outside the dome-shaped centering means 46, whichsimultaneously comprises the drive mechanism 10 which is disposedradially inside the arrangement of lancing elements 12. The lowerhousing section 56 and the upper housing section 68 inserted into it arejoined together so that they cannot turn and can be rotated in common asa carrier 32 around the axis 50 to bring test means 30 and lancingelements 12 into the operating position, or shift them from theoperating position to a disposal position.

The button 36 schematically represented in FIG. 3 is linked to the drivemechanism 10 to actuate it. The control rod 66 suggested there runningradially runs either above or below the carrier 32. As mentioned, theactuation of the drive mechanism 10 could also be achieved with a motor,preferably electrically controlled.

Finally the blood testing apparatus comprises a cover 6 which can bemodeled after the face of an electronic watch and can have a displaydevice 44, for example, in the form of an LCD display. This cover thenforms the viewing side of the blood testing apparatus, as can be seenfrom FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view corresponding to FIG. 5 of a bloodtesting apparatus with a watch face 68 on the viewing side of apivotally articulated cover 6. It should also be mentioned that a fingerrest 28 is furnished at the “6 o'clock” position with reference to theface 68, which forms the operating position in which the skin surface isbriefly penetrated by the lancing element 12 when the drive mechanism 10is released. This arrangement proves to be advantageous insofar as theuser (standing) can place the hand on the stomach when performing thelancing procedure and then position the thumb of the other hand on thefinger rest 28. When the lancing process is triggered in this position,the membrane-like test means 30 is disposed essentially horizontally andthe minimal amount of blood can wet the test means following gravity.

FIG. 7 shows the blood testing apparatus from FIG. 6 with the firstcover 6 pivoted up so that the view of the upper side of a second cover7 is uncovered where, in accordance with this embodiment, the displaydevice 44 for the blood testing apparatus is located. The display device44 for the blood testing apparatus is thus separated spatially from theface 68 or the display unit for time. Naturally, the display device 44could also serve to display time.

FIG. 8 shows the blood testing apparatus from FIG. 7 with the secondcover 7 likewise raised so that access to the housing base 4 forinserting and removing a carrier cartridge is possible.

Finally, FIG. 9 shows an isometric view corresponding to FIG. 8 of afurther embodiment, according to which the display device 44 for bloodanalysis is furnished on the inner side of the first cover 6.

1. A blood testing apparatus, comprising: a laser source configured toproduce a wound from which blood flows; at least one test member; ahumidity cover positioned at the at least one test member, the humiditycover being at least partially removable; electronics used for analysis,the electronics further including an evaluation device that provides forcomparisons with previously stored measurements or evaluation data withthe evaluation device storing a current test measurement; and a display.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the test member includes an openingfrom which a beam from the laser can pass through.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the laser source is a single diode laser source.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the laser source is a first diode laserand a second diode laser.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstwavelength is 532 nm and the second wavelength is 1064 nm.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the laser source includes a first and asecond laser.
 7. A blood testing apparatus, comprising: a laser sourceconfigured to produce a wound from which blood flows; a plurality oftest members; one or more humidity covers positioned to cover theplurality of test member, the one or more humidity covers being at leastpartially removable; electronics used for analysis, the electronicsincluding an evaluation device that provides for comparisons withpreviously stored measurements or evaluation data with the evaluationdevice storing a current test measurement; and a display.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of test members are arrangedradially around an axis of rotation of a rotatable, disposable devicehaving a circumferential wall section that runs cylindrically on anouter periphery, each of the test member and the at least one lancingelement having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicularrelative to the axis of rotation, and wherein the test members aredisposed with surfaces normal in a radial direction with respect to acenter of the rotatable, disposable device
 9. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein each of a test member includes an opening from which a beam fromthe laser can pass through.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thelaser source is a single diode laser source.
 11. The apparatus of claim7, wherein the laser source is a first diode laser and a second diodelaser.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first wavelength is 532nm and the second wavelength is 1064 nm.
 13. A method for testing ananalyte in a blood sample, comprising: providing a blood testingapparatus that includes a test member, a laser source, a humidity coverpositioned at the test member, electronics for analysis and a displaythat are integrated in a single apparatus; producing a wound with thelaser source; at least partially removing the humidity cover prior toreceiving a blood sample; receiving a blood sample from the wound at thetest member after the; coagulating the wound with the laser source; andusing the electronics to determine a concentration of glucose in theblood sample.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: passing abeam from the laser through an opening.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein the laser source is a single diode laser source.
 16. The methodof claim 13, wherein the laser source is a first diode laser and asecond diode laser.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the firstwavelength is 532 nm and the second wavelength is 1064 nm.
 18. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the laser source includes a first and asecond laser.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the analyte isglucose.
 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: comparingpreviously stored analyte measurements with a current analytemeasurement.